“Deep condolences”: Priyanka Gandhi pays tribute to former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

New Delhi [India], August 8 (ANI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi paid tribute to former Chief Minister of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Thursday. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader passed away at the age of eighty on Thursday morning in Kolkata.

Condoling his death in a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, “I received the sad news of the demise of former West Bengal Chief Minister Budhadev Bhattacharya. Tribute to the departed personality. Deep condolences to the bereaved family and his supporters.”

Bhattacharjee was suffering from old age-related ailments.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee served as the chief minister of West Bengal from 2000 to 2011. He was the second and last CPI (M) leader who served as the CM of West Bengal, succeeding Jyoti Basu. In 2011 assembly polls, Bhattacharjee-led CPI (M) lost to Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, which ended a 34-year communist rule in West Bengal.

West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee, in her condolence message on X, said, “Shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of the former Chief Minister Sri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. I have known him for last several decades and visited him a few times when he was ill and effectively confined to home in the last few years. My very sincere condolences to Meeradi and Suchetan at this hour of grief.”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also offered his condolences. “He served the people in a political career spanning more than five decades, ” Kharge said in a post on X.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari said, “I am deeply saddened to learn that former West Bengal Chief Minister; Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has left for his heavenly abode. Condolences to his family members and admirers. I pray that his soul finds eternal peace.”

CPI (M) West Bengal State Secretary Md Salim said, “It’s very sad news for us and the state and all those people of the country who think about the labourers and common people.”

“As a good administrator, honest person, aggressive secular and such a leader, losing him is a loss for all of us.” Md Salim further added.